Gardening with the Littles | Senoia, Ga Children Photographer

There is nothing that says happy child quite like a mud covered child. 

 We love for our littles to play outside, but more than that we love our littles learning outside.  Through gardening we are able to teach them where real food comes from and some life skills.  

  We break up the earth with tillers, rakes, and shovels... look at the different shapes, sizes and colors of seeds.  Then we plant our seeds, feed them, and water them.  The kids get a lesson in how the sun and water work to grow and nourish the plant.  They'll see the seed transform into a plant, and then they'll see the plants produce fruits and veggies.  I can't wait for them to dig up carrots and there are definitely going to be pictures of them sitting in the watermelon patch.  

  My kids love helping us make meals, so I know they will be super proud of themselves for picking the food, washing it, and then cooking and serving it!

Mason | Peachtree City, Ga Children Photographer

This is Mason, he is two and too cute for words.  His mom was so helpful at our fishing styled session.  We both had the same vision and were able to capture some great shots.  I just love his rolled up overalls with no shirt.  He wasn't exactly happy about being barefoot in the mud, but he was a trooper and pulled through. 

 His fishing pole was made from a stick we found and some twine. Somebody left a neon, plastic worm behind so we tied it to the other end and made "fishing" a little funner for Mason.  

Quick Tip | Setting the Table

  Super easy way to help teach your little how to set the table!  I found some cheap place mats at the dollar store, used a permanent marker and some household items.  I traced where everything should go and labeled them.  
  I keep the mats on the shelves in the dining room & when its time to eat the kids can easily put one at each seat and then set it up correctly.  :)  My son loves having a "job" and being a helper.  These little things help boost his confidence. 

Fresh 48 | Welcome Charlie | Atlanta, Ga Birth Photographer

Thank you Nikki and Curtis for letting me visit Charlie at the hospital.  I love the first looks and seeing mom getting to know her sweet baby.  Nikki is a natural, baby number two is a lucky little guy.  

I am so beyond happy for Nikki & Curtis as they welcome their second son, Charlie.  I know big brother Ayden is so excited too!  

Another fishing buddy for daddy. 

Helping with Snack Time

We are big on finding ways to involve our littles in helping and participating around the house.  They are a very important part of our family and we like them to know they play a role in our household.  Its a great confidence booster and exercises little hands (fine motor skills development- is super important).   

At the dinner table you will hear my son announce, " I washed those potatoes," "I chopped those leaves," "I helped stir..."

He is proud to have helped bring dinner to the table or to have cleaned our apples and grapes for snacking.

We learn a lot about nutrition this way.  We talk about what we are washing off of the food, how it grows, and this activity gets them familiar with working with fruits and veggies.  Plus, its just fun to play in the water! 

It also helps me out tremendously to have them distracted, scrubbing produce out of the kitchen while I am cooking the bulk of the meal. Its nice cooking without little people attached to you.

You can find these inexpensive scrubbers anywhere!  This one came from a dollar store.  Its got a handle thats just the right size for little hands and is nice and short so they can control it easier. 

I add water in the sink of their play kitchen (from Ikea).
There is still some great imaginative play happening- which is great for little growing brains!  We feel like imaginative play is one of the most important parts of our littles' day. 

I laid out a towel for all of our clean apples.  

I guess he worked up an appetite with all of that scrubbing.  My littles love fruit.

Super easy way to include the littles and get a chance to do your own cooking!  It doesn't always come out "picture perfect."  My youngest little (almost 2 years) will scrub a potato, splash a little, scrub another, then try biting the potato, then splash some more before she decides to dump the water out. :)
 My 3 year old does wonderfully with this task though.